A task force will hit the streets of Modesto to target illegal use, possession and sale of fireworks in the city. KCRA's Linda Mumma reports.

A task force will hit the streets of Modesto to target illegal use, possession and sale of fireworks in the city. KCRA's Linda Mumma reports.

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Updated: 6:46 PM PDT Jul 2, 2015

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WEBVTT METRO FIRE INVESTIGATORS AND THE BOMB SQUAD HER ON THE HUNT TO FIND AND PROSECUTE PEOPLE WHO USE OR SELL THEM. MODESTO IS ALSO CRACKING DOWN. GULSTAN: LINDA MUMMA IS LIVE FOR US IN DOWNTOWN MODESTO WHERE A TASK FORCE WILL BE TARGETING ILLEGAL USE, POSSESSION, AND SALES THROUGHOUT THE CITY. LINDA: STARTING TONIGHT, FIRE AND POLICE WILL BE PATROLLING THE NEIGHBORHOODS, LOOKING FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS. THERE IS A TEEN INSIDE GETTING READY TO HIT THE STREETS, BUT THEY HAVE ALREADY HAD AN ACTIVE DAY SO FAR. OFFICERS SET UP A STING INFORMATION -- INVESTIGATION ON CRAIGSLIST WHICH LED THEM TO A MAN AND WOMAN WHO SOLD FIREWORKS IN A TACO BELL PARKING LOT. LAST NIGHT, OFFICERS SAY THEY CONFISCATED 150 POUNDS OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS IN ANOTHER BUST. THEY TOLD ME ANYONE IN POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS WILL BE CITED WITH A $1000 FINE, AND ANYONE WITH MORE THAN 25 POUNDS WILL BE ARRESTED. ILLEGAL FIREWORKS ARE A GREAT CONCERN WITH THE DRY CONDITIONS THAT COME WITH EVERY SUMMER, BUT ALSO FOR YEARS INTO A DROUGHT, ILLEGAL FIREWORKS ARE A HUGE CONCERN FOR US. LINDA: THIS IS WHAT CREWS ARE LOOKING FOR. ANYTHING WITHOUT THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL'S APPROVAL ON THE BOX, AND ANYTHING THAT LAUNCHES INTO THE AIR, CREATING A SPARK THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE. MODESTO FIRE CHIEF SHAWN SIMMONS TELLS US FIRE INVESTIGATORS WILL BE TEAMED UP WITH POLICE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND WILL PATROL THE CITY LIMITS. FIRE CALLS INCREASE AS MUCH AS 25% IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO THE FOURTH OF JULY. AS A RESULT, THE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE UP TO 15 EXTRA FIREFIGHTERS WORKING THROUGHOUT THE FEET. POLICE AND TELL -- AND FIREFIGHTERS TELL ME THEY WILL BE CLOSING -- KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON LEGAL FIREWORKS, MAKING SURE THE VENDORS AREN'T SELLING FIREWORKS TO UNDERAGE KIDS. EDIE: WE KNOW OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE OUT BUYING FIREWORKS, YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT SEAL, BUT WHAT ELSE CAN THEY DO TO MAKE SURE THEIR FIREWORKS ARE LEGAL? LINDA: IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION ON WHETHER THOSE FIREWORKS ARE LEGAL OR ILLEGAL, PEOPLE CAN BRING THEM TO ANY FIRE STATION AND HAVE FIREFIGHTERS CHECK THEM OUT.

Authorities crack down on illegal fireworks in Modesto

A task force will hit the streets of Modesto to target illegal use, possession and sale of fireworks in the city. KCRA's Linda Mumma reports.